Preparation and characterization of polyaniline nanocomposites with graphene oxide-zinc oxide hybrids in different morphologies

Polyaniline (PAni) was synthesized, and zinc oxide nanoparticles with different morphologies as well as hybrids of graphene oxide-zinc oxide (GrO-ZnO) were incorporated in this matrix via solution to produce nano composites. ZnO was obtained employing two different hydrothermal synthesis methods, and graphene oxide was prepared by the modified Hummer method. The hybrids were synthesized by hydrothermal and in situ approaches. Defects and the morphology of the nanoparticles due to the oxidation process were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mass contents of each element could be determined via energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to evaluate the quality and dimensions of the crystals of graphene oxide, zinc oxide, and polyaniline. The absorption bands of the nanoparticles and polyaniline were observed by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). From the results, the success in the synthesis of nanoparticles and nanocomposites is confirmed, and improvement of the polymer interface with the production of graphene hybrids with ZnO. Finally, it was concluded that the change in the morphology and the method of synthesis of the nanoparticles changed the interaction of the filler with the polymer, even reducing the amount of doping chlorine in the matrix. Besides, the crystallinity of the system decreased due to the effective incorporation of the nanoparticle, which reduced the size of the PAni crystals. The set of morphological results suggest that the hybrids incorporated in the PAni have great potential in thermoelectric devices.

Automated summary

Polyaniline nano composites incorporating zinc oxide nanoparticles and graphene oxide-zinc oxide hybrids were successfully synthesized via solution methods. Various characterization techniques confirmed the structural characteristics of the nanoparticles and composites, demonstrating their potential applications in thermoelectric devices.